Property is theft! is the second exhibition by Portugal-based New Zealand artist Reuben Moss at The Physics Room in 2017. This exhibition is a continuation Moss’ interest in the contemporary urban environment as a space controlled by pulsing and unequal flows of capital and labour.

In contrast to Monuments and other reminders, Moss’ previous exhibition at The Physics Room, which was a ‘remote’ mini-survey of a decade of his work, Moss has travelled to Ōtautahi, Christchurch to occupy The Physics Room residency for six weeks. During this time he has conducted research into the current state of the Christchurch re-build. The results of this research will manifest in two new installations informed by a unique post-crisis architectural vernacular and a property development cycle that favours homogenisation.

Working with found materials, Property is theft! explores the everyday visual signs indicative of the hiccups and failures of large scale urban planning and rejuvenation that characterise the Central Business District of Ōtautahi, Christchurch in 2017.

Reuben’s residency at The Physics Room has been generously supported by Jan Warburton Charitable Trust.